Tuesday, 1 December 2015

2 December 2015

Collects

Prayers
developed from the daily readings

Wednesday 2
December 2015

Morning
Prayer

Psalm
77

The psalmist is deeply distressed, not sleeping at night, feels
alienated from God and wonders whether God has gone. He decides to remember all
the blessings of the past and the evidence of God’s enduring protection. He
ceases moaning and instead gives thanks.

Isaiah
41: 1 – 16

Israel
is told to be quiet and listen. Their strength will be restored. The great hero
from the past will restore. The people are to take courage. “I have chosen you
and not cast you off” (v.9). They are not to fear; this is their God. The
people’s enemies will disappear. They are not to fear even though they are
merely worms or insects in comparison. God will help them and they will rejoice
and glory in the Lord.

Mark 5:
1 – 20

Jesus
and the disciples come to the territory of the Gerasenes. A man who lives among
the tombs, howls and self harms runs towards Jesus and bows down. Jesus tells
the unclean spirit to come out. The man yells his recognition of Jesus as the
Son of God. Jesus asks the spirit it’s name and it answers “Legion” for there
are many unclean spirits in the man. The spirits beg not to be tormented, not
to be sent out of this part of the country and to go into the swine. Jesus does
that. The swine go into the sea and drown. The swineherds, who are afraid,
report what they see. The people ask Jesus to leave especially when they see
the demoniac sitting there calm and rational. The healed man begs to stay with
Jesus. Jesus sends the man back to his friends and to tell them how much God
has done for him. The man does this. He preaches throughout the group of ten
cities in eastern Palestine called the Decapolis.

Collect for
Morning Prayer

GiftsWindow St Saviour's Gladstone Qld L Osburn

Wonderful Lord you
restore us when we bring ourselves to you and ask for your help. In this time
of turmoil and distress, when we feel as little and powerless as insects and
worms help us to remember your blessings, your love and your sacrifice and
bring ourselves to you with listening hearts so that we may declare your love
in all we do and say through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Wednesday 2
December 2015

Evening
Prayer

Psalm
78: 1 – 15

The psalmist encourages people to tell the stories of God and his
relationship with the people to their children, in parables, the old sayings,
the history, decrees and miracles so that they will not be stubborn or
rebellious.

Isaiah
2: 19 – 3: 12

When
the Lord comes in judgement people will want to hide in caves and rocks and
throw their idols away. Jerusalem will be without the supplies to support the
people – food, water and administration. Those who lack knowledge or experience
will rule. The people will be oppressed and oppress each other. Civil society
will break down. Jerusalem and Judah have gone against God and will fall. The
leaders mislead and confuse the people.

1 Thessalonians 2: 13 - 20

Paul gives thanks that when the
Thessalonians heard the gospel they recognised it as the word of God. They
modelled themselves on the church in Judea and suffered from their local people
in the same way the Judean church suffered from the Jews. Paul, who is
prevented from returning to the Thessalonians, thinks of them often and is full
of praise (glory and joy) at their faithfulness.

Collect for
Evening Prayer

Camellias and magnoliasHarrietville Vic L Osburn

Holy Lord we give you thanks and praise
for all your gifts of love and grace and for your faithful people everywhere.
Help us in the days to come to keep telling the stories of our history and
relationship with you and your wonderful deeds so that we are part of building
communities of faithful people in the future who know your love, revere you and
look to your coming again with joy and thanksgiving through Jesus Christ your Son our
Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.